6/1/15

From Mark Copeland... "DISCIPLINES FOR THE DISCIPLE" The Discipline Of Fasting





                     "DISCIPLINES FOR THE DISCIPLE"

                       The Discipline Of Fasting

INTRODUCTION

1. For this series we have defined spiritual disciplines as...
   a. Spiritual exercises that bring one closer to God, to become more
      godly in character and behavior
   b. Spiritual activities such as prayer, meditation, fasting, singing,
      giving, etc.

2. Previous studies examined the disciplines of...
   a. Prayer - especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast
      prayer
   b. Meditation - contemplating on God, His works, His words, and
      things worthy of virtue

3. A discipline closely tied to prayer in the Scriptures is that of
   fasting...
   a. Practiced by men of God - Ezr 8:21; Neh 1:4; Dan 9:3; Mt 4:2
   b. Observed by the early church - Ac 13:1-3; 14:23; 2Co 6:5; 11:27

4. But some questions may come to mind...
   a. What exactly is fasting?
   b. Why would Christians fast?
   c. When would Christians fast?
   d. How should Christians fast?

[A detailed study of fasting can be found here.  This study will simply summarize
the answers to such questions...]

I. FASTING IN THE BIBLE

   A. IN THE OLD TESAMENT...
      1. Only one fast was commanded in the Law of Moses - Lev 16:29;
         23:27-29; Num 29:7
         a. The phrase "afflict your soul" refers to fasting - cf. Psa 69:10
         b. Note also Ac 27:9 (where the Fast refers to the Day of
            Atonement)
      2. But the Israelites (and others) fasted on many other occasions
         a. In war, or at the threat of it - Judg 20:26; 1Sa 7:6
         b. When loved ones were sick - 2Sa 12:16-23; Ps 35:11-13
         c. When loved ones died - 1Sa 31:13; 1Ch 10:12; 2Sa 1:12
         d. When they sought God's forgiveness - Jon 3:4-10; Dan 9:3-5;
            Neh 9:1-3
         e. When faced with impending danger - 2Ch 20:3; Ezr 8:21; Neh1:4; Es 4:3,16
         f. To commemorate certain calamities - cf. Zec 7:3; 8:19
      3. The purpose of fasting
         a. Some fasting was a natural reaction to grief over the loss
            of a loved one
         b. More often, fasting was done purposely to "afflict the soul"
            - Lev 23:27-29
         c. The purpose was to "humble" or "chasten" the soul - Psa35:13; 69:10
         d. By so humbling themselves, they hoped to incur God's favor
            - Ezr 8:21-23; cf. Isa 57:15; 66:1-2
         e. Because they sought God's favor, fasting usually was
            accompanied with prayer
      4. The nature of fasting
         a. Fasting generally involved abstaining from food but not
            water
         b. Sometimes the fast was partial - a restriction of diet, not
            total abstention - cf. Dan 10:2-3
         c. On rare occasions there was the absolute fast - Jon 3:5-10;
            Es 4:16; cf. Ac 9:9
         d. The absolute fasts of Moses and Elijah must have been
            miraculous - Deut 9:9; 1Ki 19:8
      5. The length of fasting
         a. A fast was often for one day, from sunrise to sunset, and
            after sundown food would be taken - Judg 20:26; 2Sa 1:12;
            3:35
         b. A fast might be for one night (hence the term, "breakfast")
            - Dan 6:18
         c. The fast of Esther continued for three days, day and night,
            which seems to have been a special case - Es 4:16
         d. At Saul's burial, the fast by Jabesh-Gilead was seven days
            - 1Sa 31:13; 1Ch 10:12
         e. David fasted seven days when his child was ill - 2Sa 12:
            16-18
         f. The longest fasts were the forty day fasts by Moses, Elijah,
            and Jesus - Exo 34:28; Deut 9:9; 1Ki 19:8; Mt 4:2; Lk 4:2
      6. Warnings regarding fasting
         a. Fasting can easily turn into an external show and ceremonial
            ritualism
         b. When it did, God and His prophets spoke out against it - Isa58:1-9; Zec 7:1-14
      -- Though subject to abuse, fasting played an important role in
         the life of Israel

   B. FASTING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT...
      1. In the life of Jesus
         a. He fasted forty days in the wilderness - Mt 4:1-2; Lk 4:1-2
         b. He taught concerning fasting in His sermon on the mount 
            - Mt 6:16-18
         c. He implied His disciples would fast after His death - Mk 2:
            18-20; Lk 5:33-35
         d. He spoke of the combined power of fasting and prayer 
            - Mt 17:14-21
      2. In the life of the early church
         a. Members of the church at Antioch served the Lord with
            fasting - Ac 13:1-2
         b. Elders were appointed in the churches of Galatia with
            fasting - Ac 14:21-23
      3. In the life of Paul
         a. He fasted prior to his baptism - Ac 9:9
         b. He fasted as part of his ministry - 2Co 6:4-10; 11:23-28
         c. He described how fasting might be appropriate for others
            - 1Co 7:5
      4. In the lives of others
         a. Anna - Lk 2:36-37
         b. Cornelius - Ac 10:30-31
      -- Through both precept and example, the New Testament has much to
         say about fasting

[Both Jews and Gentiles, Christians and non-Christians, practiced the
spiritual discipline of fasting in Bible times.  Should Christians fast
today?  I believe there is a place for fasting today...]

II. WHY WOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?

   A. PEOPLE FAST TODAY FOR VARIOUS REASONS...
      1. Some purposefully, for health reasons
      2. Some without thinking, in times of grief and sorrow
      3. Others, in an effort to gain some kind of self-control
      -- But these are not reasons Christian should fast in their
         service to God - Col 2:20-23

   B. CHRISTIANS SHOULD FAST TO SEEK GOD'S HELP...
      1. This is consistent with the majority of fasting in the OT
         a. In times of war or at the threat of it (Israel)
         b. When loved ones were sick (David)
         c. When seeking God's forgiveness (Ahab, Daniel)
         d. When seeking God's protection (Ezra)
      2. This is consistent with the examples of fasting in the NT
         a. When dealing with temptations (Jesus)
         b. When serving the Lord (Antioch)
         c. When beginning a work for the Lord (Antioch)
         d. When selecting and appointing elders (Galatia)
      -- There is certainly apostolic example for Christians to fast
         today

[If fasting has a place in the Christian life, then let's look more
closely at...]

III. WHEN WOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?

   A. WHENEVER CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE GOD'S HELP...
      1. These may be occasions on an individual level
         a. When faced with difficult temptations
         b. When faced with the serious illness of a loved one
      2. These occasions might be on a congregational level
         a. As when appointing elders
         b. As when sending out missionaries
      -- Not as some ceremonious ritual, but when appropriate for the
         occasion

   B. WHENEVER CIRCUMSTANCES CALL FOR MUCH PRAYER...
      1. Is not God more likely to answer our  prayers if we are
         persistent? - cf. Lk 18:1-8
      2. Is not God more likely to respond if we fast in the proper
         manner? - cf. Mt 6:17-18
      -- This may be why fasting is frequently joined with prayer in the
         Scriptures

[Whenever there are matters requiring much prayer, fasting along with
prayer is appropriate.  Finally, let's take a look at...]

IV. HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?

   A. SOME BIBLICAL WARNINGS...
      1. Not to be seen of men - Mt 6:16-18
      2. Not as some regular ritual - cf. Mt 9:14-17
      3. Not without true repentance - cf. Isa 58:3-9
      -- To be effective, fasting must take such warnings seriously

   B. SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS...
      1. Don't fast just because it sounds like a neat thing to do
         a. Take the subject seriously
         b. Fast only when the occasion is a serious one
         c. One in which you deeply desire God's help
      2. If you have never fasted before...
         a. Start slow, fasting only for brief periods of time
         b. End slow, gradually breaking your fast with fresh fruits and
            vegetables in small amounts
      3. Fast when you have time to spend in prayerful meditation
         a. Remember the purpose for fasting
            1) To humble oneself in God's sight
            2) To seek favorable answer to prayer for some important plea
         b. Thus fast when you have time
            1) To pray
            2) To meditate
         c. Remember fasting can be:
            1) Partial abstention from food, not necessarily complete
            2) Just for one day or night, not necessarily for days and
               nights
      -- Fasting is not an end, but a means to an end; a way to humble
         oneself before God

CONCLUSION

1. Views about fasting have often been extreme...
   a. "Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and
      reason, and others have utterly disregarded it." - John Wesley
   b. Some consider fasting unnecessary, therefore to be ignored; others
      think fasting is to be bound as a matter of faith (like baptism)
   c. For the Christian, fasting is left primarily to individual
      discretion

2. When properly understood, fasting can be a valuable spiritual discipline...
   a. A way to humble oneself before God
   b. When joined with prayer, a way to solicit God's help

As we seek to exercise ourselves unto godliness (2Ti 4:7), consider the
practice of fasting as an appropriate complement to prayer and
meditation...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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You Have Only One Shot by Dave Miller, Ph.D.



http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=8&article=497


You Have Only One Shot

by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

The present pluralistic climate that prevails in American culture has disastrous implications. To suggest that all religions, all ideologies, all philosophies, and all beliefs are of equal validity, and ought to be tolerated as such, is to generate social anarchy and the destabilization of society that can end only in national suicide. Unless a single value system remains substantially intact in any given civilization, that society will lack the necessary “glue” to hold together. But even more tragic are the eternal implications for those who reject the truth regarding the only moral and spiritual reality, i.e., the Christian system.
For example, take the notion of reincarnation, a belief that permeates Hinduism, Buddhism, and New Age philosophy, and thus characterizes the thinking of upwards of two billion people (for brief discussions of reincarnation, see Valea, 2006; “Recarnation,” 2007). Here is a sinister doctrine that robs those masses of their one and only opportunity to prepare for afterlife. Reincarnation is the idea that at death, all human souls (according to some, animals as well) simply “recycle” into another body on Earth, and that this rebirth process is repeated over and over again until the individual eventually reaches the ultimate spiritual condition—nirvana and enlightenment.
Such a viewpoint inevitably must bring a sense of false comfort to the individual who embraces it. He or she naturally is not overly concerned with moral behavior and life choices. After all, multiple opportunities to live life over again are forthcoming. Herein lays the tragedy. The fact of the matter is that a human being has but “one shot” at life (Miller, 2003). Every person lives but one life on Earth and then must face death and Judgment (Hebrews 9:27). At death, a person’s spirit enters the Hadean realm to await the final Judgment and is unable to return to Earth (read Luke 16:19-31; cf.Miller, 2005). Consequently, it is absolutely imperative for every human being to examine God’s Word (the Bible) to ascertain how life is to be lived in view of eternity (cf. Butt, 2003). Millions of people literally are squandering their one and only opportunity to prepare themselves to secure everlasting happiness, and so will be consigned instead to everlasting torment (Matthew 25:31-46). Any doctrine that softens a person’s will to be conscientious regarding morality and behavior is a sinister doctrine that ought to be exposed and repudiated (Ephesians 5:11; 1 John 4:1).
[NOTE: For an audio sermon on what happens when we die, click here.]

REFERENCES

Butt, Kyle (2003), “Reincarnation and the Bible,” [On-line], URL:http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2298.
Miller, Dave (2003), “One Second After Death,” [On-line], URL:http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2244.
Miller, Dave (2005), “Afterlife and the Bible,” [On-line], URL:http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2672.
Valea, Ernest (2006), “Reincarnation: Its Meaning and Consequences,” [On-line], URL:http://www.comparativereligion.com/reincarnation.html.
“Reincarnation” (2007), Wikipedia, [On-line], URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation.


Does God Tempt People? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.



http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=2679

Does God Tempt People?

by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

In his February 12, 2009 debate with Kyle Butt, Dan Barker alleged that he “knows” the God of the Bible cannot exist because “there are mutually incompatible properties/characteristics of the God that’s in this book [the Bible—EL] that rule out the possibility of His existence.” Seven minutes and 54 seconds into his first speech, Barker cited James 1:13 and Genesis 22:1 as proof that the God of the Bible cannot exist. Since James 1:13 says: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (KJV), and Genesis 22:1 affirms that “God did tempt Abraham” (KJV) to sacrifice his son, Barker asserted that God is like a married bachelor or a square circle—He cannot logically exist.
If Genesis 22:1 actually taught that God really tempted Abraham to commit evil and sin, then the God of the Bible might be a “square circle,” i.e., a logical contradiction. But, the fact of the matter is, God did not tempt Abraham to commit evil. Barker formulated his argument based upon the King James Version and only one meaning of the Hebrew word (nissâ) found in Genesis 22:1. Although the word can mean “to tempt,” the first two meanings that Brown, Driver, and Briggs give for nissâ in theirHebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament is “to test, to try” (1993). Likewise, the Theological Lexicon of the Old Testament (1997) defines the word simply “to test” (Jenni and Westermann, 1997, 2:741-742). The Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament agrees that nissâ is best translated, whether in secular or theological contexts, as “testing” (Botterweck, et al., 1998, 9:443-455). For this reason, virtually all major translations in recent times, including the NKJV, NASB, ESV, NIV, and RSV, translate Genesis 22:1 using the term “tested,” not tempted.
When David put on the armor of King Saul prior to battling Goliath, the shepherd realized: “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested (nissâ) them” (1 Samuel 17:39, emp. added). Obviously, this testing had nothing to do with David “tempting” his armor; he simply had not tested or tried on Saul’s armor previously. God led Israel during 40 years of desert wanderings “to humble...and test” them (Deuteronomy 8:2, emp. added), not to tempt them to sin. Notice also the contrast in Exodus 20:20 between (1) God testing man and (2) trying to cause man to sin. After giving Israel the Ten Commandments, Moses said: “Do not fear; for God has come to test (nissâyou, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin” (Exodus 20:20, emp. added). If one were to use Barker’s reasoning that nissâ must mean “to tempt,” regardless of the context, then he would have to interpret Exodus 20:20 to mean that God tempted Israel to sin, so that they will not sin.
When a person interprets the Bible, or any other book, without recognizing that words have a variety of meanings and can be used in various senses, a rational interpretation is impossible. Many alleged Bible contradictions, including several of those that Dan Barker mentioned in the Butt/Barker Debate, are easily explained simply by acknowledging that words are used in a variety of ways. Is a word to be taken literally or figuratively? Must the term in one place mean the exact same thing when in another context, or may it have different meanings? If English-speaking Americans can intelligibly converse about running to the store in the 21st century by driving a car, or if we can easily communicate aboutparking on driveways, and driving on parkways, why do some people have such a difficult time understanding the various ways in which words were used in Bible times? Could it be that some Bible critics like Barker are simply predisposed to interpret Scripture unfairly? The evidence reveals that is exactly what is happening.
Rather then contradicting James 1:13, Genesis 22:1 actually corresponds perfectly with what James wrote near the beginning of his epistle: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work,that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (1:2-4, emp. added). By instructing Abraham to sacrifice his promised son (cf. Hebrews 11:17), God gave Abraham another opportunity to prove his loyalty to Him, while Abraham simultaneously used this trial to continue developing a more complete, mature faith.

REFERENCES

Botterweck, G. Johannes, Helmer Ringgren, and Heinz-Josef Fabry (1998), Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).
Brown, Francis, S.R. Driver, and Charles B. Briggs (1993), A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (Electronic Database: Biblesoft).
Butt, Kyle and Dan Barker (2009), Does the God of the Bible Exist? (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press).
Jenni, Ernst and Claus Westerman (1997), Theological Lexicon of the Old Testament (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson).

Blind, Biased Failure to See God by Dave Miller, Ph.D.



http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=3754

Blind, Biased Failure to See God

by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

The flagellum that propels bacteria has long been recognized as a marvel of engineering. Scientists know that this rotating wonder, and the assembly to which it is attached, is a tiny but powerful molecular engine. One of nature’s smallest, and yet most powerful, motors rotates at over 200 revolutions per second, driven by incredible torque. Researchers have also long been puzzled by what enables the flagellum to come to a stop, and even reverse its rotation. In recent years they have discovered that it does so using a “clutch.” The bacterium can disconnect from the flagellum by releasing a protein that disengages the clutch (“‘Clutch’ Stops...,” 2008).

In the presence of such sophistication and intelligent design, one would think that researchers would recognize divine design when they see it. Sadly, however, the massive propaganda campaign that has inundated the science departments of American schools for a half century has blinded its victims to glaring evidence. Consider the lead researcher’s analysis of the clutch discovery: “We think it’s pretty cool that evolving bacteria and human engineers arrived at a similar solution to the same problem” (“‘Clutch’ Stops...”). Really? Nonsentient, uncoordinated, chance forces of nature somehow designed and created a technologically advanced device long before sentient, intelligent human engineers designed their own version? The same researcher also observed:
“This makes a lot of sense as far as the cell is concerned.... The flagellum is a giant, very expensive structure. Often when a cell no longer needs something, it might destroy it and recycle the parts. But here, because the flagellum is so big and complex, doing that is not very cost-effective. We think the clutch prevents the flagellum from rotating when constrained by the sticky matrix of the biofilm” (“‘Clutch’ Stops...”).
Wait a minute. “Makes a lot of sense”? “Very expensive”? “Big and complex”? The verbal gymnastics that evolutionists engage in would be humorous if not so sadly serious. These are terms that demand intelligence and sentience. The evolutionists constantly allow themselves the luxury of speaking as if the myriad organisms that display incredible design and purpose somehow created themselves and then consciously tweaked themselves over millions of years to become more efficient. They regularly cut themselves slack by speaking as if a mind—a conscious, intelligent being—were orchestrating the endless stream of biological marvels that grace the planet.

So blinded by irrational commitment to an outlandish theory, evolutionists are unable to hear the evidence screaming in their ears and flashing before their eyes, and come to the only logical conclusion: such intricate, complex design demands an intelligent, superior Designer. To deny it is bias of the first order.

“Thus says the LORD.... ‘I am the LORD, who makes all things…Who turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolishness” (Isaiah 44:24-25).

REFERENCE


“‘Clutch’ Stops Flagella” (2008), Photonics Media, June 23, http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=34236.

Affecting the "Next Generation Science Standards" for the Lord by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.



http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=1614

Affecting the "Next Generation Science Standards" for the Lord

by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

Perhaps you, like many others, have thought, “The nation’s school system is rapidly digressing. The faith of this nation’s children is being demolished by the teaching of Darwinian evolution in science. Immorality is being encouraged by teaching young people that their ancestors were ape-like creatures, and that they are, therefore, merely a less-hairy ape, controlled wholly by instinct and genetics, with no propensity for self-control. And yet, there’s nothing I can do! The establishment is too big to fight. I’m insignificant. I wouldn’t even know where to start to fight this!” It so happens that with the help of thousands of others like you, you can, in fact, have a major impact in this debate—right now. You can play a significant role in shaping the science curriculum that will be taught throughout the majority of these United States for the next several years.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is currently developing the science standard for some 26 states. Now is the time to take action and speak out against the indoctrination of young minds with the bad science of evolutionary theory. If the science standards pass as they are written now, Darwinian evolution will be a required topic in your child’s science education if you live in one of the states that adopts this standard. The NGSS is currently accepting input from the public over the next few days (until June 1) on their proposed science standards in the form of a survey on their Web site (www.nextgenscience.org/next-generation-science-standards). We strongly recommend that you take five minutes and speak out for God and the biblical view of origins. Now may be the only time for many years (or ever) to let your voice be heard in an effective way on this matter.
The Villa Rica church of Christ in Georgia is taking a lead in this effort, and have developed a Web site to help you in this process. If you need help getting straight to the critical issues in the science standard, click here (http://www.unity-in-christ.org/Articles/christians4science_is_an_apologe.html). At the top of that Web page are two red rectangle links that will be helpful to you in sifting through the information on the NGSS Web site.
Please let your voice be heard. There is absolutely no doubt that the promulgation of evolutionary theory in America’s school system is one of the most effective ways that Satan has “taken advantage of us” (2 Corinthians 2:11) over the last 50 years, turning Americans and the world away from the God of the Bible. But we are not “ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Remember the famous words of exhortation credited to Edmund Burke, a British statesman from the 1700s: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Take up the sword of truth, and fight with us.


Animals, Abortion, and the Absurd by Eric Lyons, M.Min.



http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=1241

Animals, Abortion, and the Absurd

by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

I have always loved dogs. I am thankful that God chose to create the dog kind. In my 33 years I have owned nine different dogs and have fond memories of them all. My dogs kept me company when I was alone. They calmed me when I was stressed. They picked me up when I was down. Even as a happily married husband and father of three, I still enjoy walking into the back yard to greet the family mutts—Bear and Suzy.
In August 2007, many people, including myself, were disappointed to learn that a well-known professional football player (Michael Vick) plead guilty to sponsoring, financing, and participating in the brutal sport of dog fighting. Vick even admitted that he was partly responsible for hanging and drowning a number of dogs that did not perform well in certain “test” fights (see United States v. Michael Vick, 2007). For his crimes, Vick was sentenced to 23 months behind bars, most of which were served in a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas.
I certainly believe that Vick’s actions (i.e., the drowning of dogs, etc.) can be described as appalling and somewhat sadistic. What’s more, he knowingly participated in a sport which has been outlawed in every state in America. He deserved some kind of punishment for his actions. But, we must recognize that Vick’s acts were done against animals. Though dogs may be “man’s best friend,” they still are just animals, not humans. They are every bit as much an animal as cows, crows, chickens, deer, monkeys, horses, and pigs are animals.
How absurd, inconsistent, and immoral is the United States judicial system when a person must serve nearly two years in prison for fighting, hanging, and drowning animals, yet, if that same person slaughters a 20-week-old unborn human, he supposedly is blameless. The fact that doctors in the United States can legally rip unborn babies to pieces with plier-like forceps, chop them up with knife-like devices, or puncture their skulls with a pair of scissors before sucking out the babies’ brains, is atrocious (cf. Proverbs 6:16-17). Are we to believe that Vick’s actions against dogs were “inhumane,” but what happens to approximately one million innocent, unborn babies every year in America is not? What could be more inhumane than willfully, selfishly, arrogantly, and brutally taking the life of ahuman—one of God’s image-bearers (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6)? Baby murderers freely walk the streets of America everyday, but dog fighters are jailed for inhumane acts...against animals? How absurd! How atrocious!
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man! Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will ascend like dust; because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 5:20-24).
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34).

REFERENCE

United States v. Michael Vick (2007), 3:07CR274, [On-line], URL:http://sports.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0824/vicksummary.pdf.


From Gary.... Wonderful!!!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM


I see trees of green, red roses, too,
I see them bloom, for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue, and clouds of white,
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of people going by.
I see friends shaking hands, sayin', "How do you do?"
They're really sayin', "I love you."

I hear babies cryin'. I watch them grow.
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world


I grew up listening to this man, singing this lovely song and appreciate it to this very day. To me, any commentary is almost unnecessary, except perhaps, the following from the Bible...


Genesis, Chapter 1 (WEB)  31  God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.